Friday, January 17, 2014

7:20 AM

Dem state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout announced this morning she will not run for guv in 2014, citing the severity of the injuries she suffered in a car crash last month.

Vinehout, D-Alma, said she splintered the bone in her upper right arm, and “the time required to recover and rehabilitate make it impossible for me to run the intense, grassroots campaign that I want to run and would be necessary to win.”

Vinehout’s decision leaves former Trek executive Mary Burke with a clear path to the Dem guv nomination this fall.

The lawmaker thanked those who had encouraged her to run and promised to continue working for the “grassroots efforts of so many.”

“I wish success to Mary Burke and others who may offer their time and talents in leading our state,” Vinehout said.

The announcement did not mention whether she will run this fall to retain her Senate seat.

UPDATE: Burke released a statement, "I know that Kathleen will continue to play a leading role in the ongoing conversation about the direction of our great state and I am looking forward to working with her between now and November, and beyond. Her passion, ideas, and leadership make Wisconsin stronger. I wish her a speedy and full recovery."

Thursday, January 16, 2014

5:58 PM

Dem state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout has decided against a bid for guv, a state lawmaker confirmed for WisPolitics.com.

The Progressive magazine first reported that Vinehout, D-Alma, wouldn't run, citing sources close to her campaign. Rep. Dana Wachs, D-Eau Claire, told WisPolitics.com he spoke with Vinehout this morning and "it is my understanding that she's not running."

Vinehout didn't immediately return a message left on her home phone seeking comment, while her campaign didn't immediately respond to an email.

The Dem lawmaker has been recovering from injuries sustained in a December car crash that knocked her off the campaign trail as she explored a primary challenge to former Trek Bicycle executive Mary Burke for the Dem nomination.

To keep her current Senate seat, Vinehout would have to stand for re-election this year.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

7:49 AM

Dem guv candidate Mary Burke will report raising nearly $1.8 million during the first months of her campaign.

Her campaign released a statement this morning that the former Trek executive and Madison School Board member finished 2013 with more than $1.3 million cash on hand.

Burke, who began exploring a campaign in late spring but didn't announce until Oct. 7, gave her campaign $400,000, a spokesman said. Details of the report, which is not due until Jan. 31, were still being finalized.

Still, the campaign also said she had more than 5,600 individual contributors and 88 percent of her donations were for $100 or less.

UPDATE: Walker's campaign responded to the release: "Today's report clearly shows that Mary Burke is willing to reach into her own pockets to spend whatever it takes to take Wisconsin backwards to the failed policies of the past. Governor Walker is proud to have a campaign fueled by our grassroots donors, which will continue to be demonstrated in our report that will be released at the end of the month."